Inexpensive .223 rifle?

[Big_E]

Hi, I am looking for a rifle I can use for varmints and something I can to take to the range (because .30-06 is getting dam expensive.)

I was thinking either an H&R Survivor .223 (I like the 22'' BB)

http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/ShotgunsAndRifles/survivor.asp

Or a Savage Stevens in .223. However, I already have a bolt action (Rem 700 SPS)

http://www.savagearms.com/st_200short.htm.

How is the accuracy of .17 HMR to 100 yrds? It is alot cheaper and in that case I would get H&R. What do you guys think?

 

[gotime242]

Id say go for that stevens. They are great guns, ive done tons of research on them and ive found nothing but good.

 

[ArmedBear]

.17 HMR is a very accurate cartridge.

What kind of varmints?

Instead of spending money on a .223 for range use, I'd spend money on a reloading setup and just keep shooting your .30-06 with handloads.

.223 isn't so cheap any more either.

A few years ago, I bought a Mini-14 for plinking. 5.56 was really cheap.

Now, the gun hasn't been shot in months.

 

[minutemen1776]

Since you mentioned the cartridge as an alternate to .223, take a look at the Savage 93R17 in .17 HMR. The heavy-barreled ones with Accu-Triggers are extremely accurate, and the ammo is relatively cheap, too.

 

[Big_E]

Yeah thanks. I remember going to Walmart and seeing that 223 has become more expensive. 17 hmr seems pretty good, I was thinking about squirrels but what about coyotes? I don't really know of anyone with coyotes on their land because my grandpa had to sell his farm a few years ago.

Yeah the savages are pretty great but I like the break open guns. I have a 10/22 but I want more accurate shots and I like using it for plinking.

I also need to get a reloading set, but I will wait till i move out of California cause I don't need 1 extra thing to pack up and move.

 

[1858rem]

.223 will probably be as accurate as the .17, and have a few hundred more yards effective range and a wider range of loads to try